One of the best ways to get a message circulating around the world is to share it on social media, and one mum has drummed up quite a reaction with her powerful post.
Karina Gomez was shopping in fashion store Marshalls when her daughter, Katalina, needed a feed. Rather than allowing her to nurse in the store however, an employee made Karina do so in the bathroom.
In a bid to shame the store and raise awareness to its unacceptable policy, Karina took a photo of herself breastfeeding while sitting on the toilet.
In the accompanying message, she wrote: “Yes, this is me sitting on a toilet feeding my sweet, Katalina Maria, after I was denied my right to breastfeed where I wanted to by a Marshalls employee.”
“I was denied to breastfeed in a dressing room, instead I was directed to a bathroom stall to breastfeed. What a way to treat breastfeeding customers, shaming them for breastfeeding, making them feel embarrassed that you need to feed your child,” she added.
Yes, this is me sitting on a toilet feeding my sweet, Katalina Maria, after I was denied my right to breastfeed where I...
Posted by Karina Gomez on Saturday, September 12, 2015
Admitting that she felt 'humiliated' by the ordeal, she sent out a powerful message, saying: “My rights have been violated.”
The post has been shared hundreds of times, with many expressing their shock and disgust at the behaviour of the store staff.
A representative from the company has since issued a public apology to Karina, insisting that their policy allows women to breastfeed as they choose within their stores.